Iran accuses the US of starting the war in Hormuz and announces a new restricted zone
Quick Look
Iran accuses the United States of having started the war in the Strait of Hormuz after attacking on February 28, blames Washington for the chaos in maritime trade and the increase in energy prices, while announcing a new restricted zone near the strait and warning that ships that enter will be sanctioned; The Revolutionary Guard claims to have attacked oil tankers and vessels linked to the US in response to attacks on Iranian oil tankers, following US bombings that left at least 19 dead, including four at a wedding.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for shipping oil, with approximately a third of the world's oil transported through it; The current conflict is framed by historical tensions between Iran and the United States over regional influence, sanctions and maritime security.
This Sunday, Iran accused the United States of having started the war and of wanting the rest of the world to assume its consequences, while blaming Tehran for the chaos generated, according to the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei.
According to the Iranian official - in a post by
"Washington unleashed an illegal and brutal war in the region, disrupting the normal flow of commercial shipping; oil tankers are detained, trade has been affected and energy prices are rising," Baghaei said on his social networks.
"That's completely absurd!" the message has ended.
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz after the start of the war, on February 28, and has made it its main pressure measure in the conflict, since it has managed to paralyze almost all oil exports in the region and requires that ships that want to cross it obtain permission.
The United States has established a siege on Iranian ports and ships and, in recent weeks, has managed to reestablish some maritime traffic through the strait via a southern route close to Oman, according to oil and Middle East experts.
Iran will announce in the coming days a new "restricted zone" near the Strait of Hormuz, the secretary of the Iranian National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, said this Sunday during statements on his country's official television.
According to Rezaei, the zone is established on the line where the US naval blockade begins and will extend to areas of the Persian Gulf, which expands military restrictions on the maritime corridor and further limits international oil trade.
Likewise, the official warned that ships that enter this new perimeter will be included in the list of those sanctioned by Tehran.
The crossfire of the last few days
The Revolutionary Guard stated the day before that it attacked three oil tankers on "unauthorized routes" in the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels linked to the United States, including an aircraft carrier and a US Navy destroyer, in "other areas."
These attacks, according to the Guard, were the response to the attacks by the US Army against three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday "off the coast of the island of Jarg."
The escalation comes after Washington this week launched the harshest bombings in more than a month against the Islamic republic, which left at least nineteen people dead, including four at a wedding, according to Iranian authorities.
In response, Tehran carried out bombing raids against US military bases in Kuwait, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Iran will apply sanctions to ships that enter the new restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz.
Very likely · Within days
The United States will intensify its naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz to counter Iranian restrictions.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What will be the United States' response to the new restricted zone announced by Iran?
- How will the escalation in Hormuz affect global oil prices in the coming weeks?
- Is there a risk of direct involvement of other regional powers in the conflict?
- What is the current status of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tension?
